Satellite and remote sensing photos given to the EO on May 22 by Chinese officials show the mounting danger of flooding by landslide-dammed lakes in Sichuan province following the earthquake. The EO has translated the official photo captions to English. These are just a few of the photos received; we are currently working to translate and geocode the rest.

Disaster Area in Wenchuan, Sichuan province - Barrier lake in the Xuanping Qiang-Minority Village, Beichuan County is increasing.


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Caption:
The area of the barrier lake has visibly increased. The current surface area of the lake is 1.4 square kilometers, which is 0.4 bigger than the May 14 figure. The Xuanping Qiang-Minority Village is virtually submerged. Dykes formed by the landslide have appeared to be loosening, small amount of water has flowed downstream. With heavy rainfall upstream of the Jian River over the past days, the temperature of the quake area will rise on May 19. As the flow of melted snow on mountains upstream, residents living downstream along the banks of Jian River will bear a higher risk of flood disaster. The Beichuan County township is also at high risk of flooding because the landslide is within five kilometers from the county.

Illustrations:
Red dotted lines on lake border: lake area (May 17)
Yellow lines on river border: lake area (May 14)
Striped-yellow overlay: submerged village

Remote sensing data
Radadrsat (black and white) photo: 19:00 on May 17, 2008, Beijing time
No. 2 satellite (color, bottom left): 11:00 on May 14, 2008, Beijing time

Landslides and Barrier Lakes in Nanba Town, Pingwu County after Sichuan Earthquake


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Caption:
More than ten landslides happened along Fu River's Nanba township section, and villages affected include Jiuzhou, Mowan, Luohejie, Polinli, Shawan and Yangengzi. Meanwhile, landslides blocked the river and formed a barrier lake. As rainfall has increased in recent days, the risk of dyke breaching has increased, as has the risk of debris flow.

Remote sensing data:
ALOS and SPOT 2.5 meters, May 18, 2008 Beijing time 

Illustrations:
Brown areas: landslide
Blue areas: barrier lake  

Source:
NDRCC, 23:00 on May 20, 2008

Remote Sensing of Landslides and Barrier Lake in Pingtong Town, Pingwu County after Sichuan Earthquake


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Caption:
Landslides in Taipingba, Mianjiao village and along Chuantou River damaged partial sections of the Nansui Route, a provincial road, adding another obstacle to local communication and rescue work. Meanwhile, landslides blocked the river and formed a barrier lake. As rainfall has increased in recent days, the risks of dyke breaching and debris flow have increased.

Remote sensing data:
ALOS, 2.5 meters, May 18, 2008 Beijing time

Illustrations:
Brown: landslides
Blue: barrier lake
Light blue line: damaged road
Dark blue line: seriously damaged road
Red line: provincial road

Source:
NDRCC, 23:00 on May 20, 2008

Editor's note: We will update with more satellite photos as we receive them. For more background on the dam and lake situation, see our report on potential post-earthquake disasters.

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